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Important: Please see foot of page for minimum order size, delivery times and charges.


Online Wine Shop  >  Wines by grower - alphabetical  >  Domaine de Calet - Costières de Nimes

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Domaine de Calet
Domaine de Calet
Anna-Lena and Yvon Gentes spent 30 years in Anna's native Sweden - Anna-Lena was a nursery teacher, whilst Yvon was a major player in the Swedish seafood industry. In 1999, they bought a run-down 30 hectare wine estate on the fringes of the Camargue, in the Costières de Nîmes, a large, low-lying plateau, situated between the city of Nîmes and the west bank of the Rhône. Just to the south lies the Carmargue and the Mediterranean, and the climate is therefore extremely pleasant (except for when it is just too hot, or when the cold, dry Mistral decides to blow)! The large stones or "galets roulés", which are a feature of the soil in this region, were washed down the Rhône valley from the Alps in prehistoric times, and the terroir is therefore very similar to Chateauneuf du Pape (a little further up the valley). These stones reflect the heat of the sun during the day yet retain the warmth during the night, providing excellent ripening conditions. Being wedged between the vineyards of the Rhône to the north and east, and the Coteaux du Languedoc to the west, the wines of Costieres de Nimes lie not only geographically, but also stylistically somewhere between the two.

I met Anna-Lena and Yvon att the "Outsiders" tasting in London, towards the end of 2010. I almost didn't get around to sampling their wines, as time was fast running out. But I am mighty glad that I did so, because these are really excellent wines, made with the minimum intervention and careful (i.e. minimal) use of sulphites. They received organic certification 2 years ago and are currently in conversion to full biodynamic status.
Domaine de Calet Cuvée Long Terme 2008 Costières de Nimes
Domaine de Calet Long Terme 2008
Vintage
 2008
Region Costieres de Nimes, near the Petite Camargue
Colour/Style Dry red - medium-to-full bodied.
Grapes 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 14.5%
Food Grilled meats, stews, game, cheese
Next day
Even better
Drink Now, or over the next 3 to 5 years
20% of the blend spends time in 2 year-old oak barrels. The nose is lovely - very perfumed and clearly dominated by Syrah. In fact, there's even a hint of the Northern Rhône about it, with flowers, spice and savoury making for a wine of surprising complextity. And the palate certainly lives up to its promise, with a hint of oak influence, but dominated by rich, expressive, spicy fruit, whilst remaining very elegant. If only most Côtes du Rhône was half as good. A really lovely wine!
 
Price:  £9.95 (Including: VAT at 20%)

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Domaine de Calet Cuvée Grand Mas 2007 Costières de Nimes
Domaine de Calet Grand Mas 2007
Vintage
 2007
Region Costieres de Nimes, near the Petite Camargue
Colour/Style Dry red - medium-to-full bodied.
Grapes 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 14.5%
Food Grilled meats, stews, game, cheese
Next day
Even better
Drink Now, or over the next 5 to 8 years
Again, part of the blend spends time in oak barrels. A complex array of aromas, with bramble and casssis, raisins steeped in eau de vie, polished old wood and forest floor. It manages to be at the same time spicy (cinnamon and clove), citrussy (some lovely orange peel notes) and savoury, with some enticing tobacco and cedar notes lurking in the background. The palate is still relatively primary, but all the components are beginning to knit together nicely, with an abundance of rich, brambly fruit, a touch of bitter cherry kernel and spice, fine, grippy tannins and a streak of citrussy acidity. All of which makes for a beautifully balanced wine, with a gently warming touch of eau de vie and spice on the finish.
 
Price:  £11.30 (Including: VAT at 20%)

Quantity:

Domaine de Calet Esprit de Blanc 2009 Costières de Nimes
Domaine de Calet Esprit de Blanc 2009
Vintage
 2009
Region Costieres de Nimes, near the Petite Camargue
Colour/Style Dry white - medium-to-full bodied.
Grapes 60% Roussanne, plus Vermentino, Bourboulenc, Clairette
Alcohol (a.b.v)
 13.5%
Food White meats, fish with sauce, cheese or on its own
Next day
Even better
Drink Now, or over the next 2 or 3 years
This has an appealing nose, offering peach, apricot and zesty lime/lemon fruit aromas, together with hints of honeysuckle, buttercream and garrigue herbs. In the mouth, it manages to be both rich and distinctly refreshing at the same time - quite a rare combination in a white wine. The honeyed oiliness of the Roussane, the savoury, slightly salty tang of the Vermintino and the fresh fruitiness of the Bourboulenc and Clairette make for a really interesting and beautifully balanced wine. The inherent zestiness of many southern Rhone whites can sometimes be a bit too pronounced and pithy, but this one offers just enough lime peel tanginess to match the rich tree fruit flavours, whilst the savoury, almost spicy warmth is countered by excellent orange-tinged acidity. All-in-all, this is a rich, rounded, yet poised and elegant wine, which belies its rather humble origins.
 
Price:  £8.95 (Including: VAT at 20%)

Quantity:

Mailing list
Our list is constantly evolving, so if you would like to receive our occasional e-mail newsletter (around 8 times per year) click the logo >>>>


Page footer - delivery information and under 18 warning
Minimum order value, delivery charges, times and restrictions
We deliver only to UK and Northern Ireland addresses. The minimum order value is £75 (plus the delivery charge). You may of course choose a mix of any wines in our range. Orders between £75 and £200: delivery charge is £7.50. Orders over £200: delivery is free! (If your order is over £200, please remember to change the delivery charge in checkout to £0.00). Please note: Delivery to non-mainland addresses (Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, etc.) is usually possible, but may not be on a next-working-day basis. It is also more expensive than delivery to mainland addresses, so will be charged at cost (for orders under £200) but with a small discount for orders over £200 - please call us for a quote.
Warning - you must be aged 18 or over
It is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol if you are under the age of 18. (Section 149 Licensing Act 2003).We reserve the right to seek proof of age. Leon Stolarski says "drink less, but drink better!" Please consume alcohol in moderation.